Saints' Alvin Kamara Can Make NFL History Vs. Falcons
The New Orleans Saints will take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon and there's a chance that National Football League history could be made.
Right now, Kamara has the fifth-most catches by a running back in NFL history with 604. The Saints pointed out that Kamara can move up to No. 4 on the all-time list on Sunday if he can haul in seven passes against the Falcons.
"With 604 career receptions, Alvin Kamara ranks fifth all-time among running backs," the Saints shared. "With seven catches on Sunday, he would pass Keith Byars to take sole possession of fourth all-time in NFL history."
Alvin Kamara has a chance to make NFL history
Kamara has had his fair share of big games throughout his career, but he has not reached seven receptions in a single game yet this year. The most catches he's had in one game this season was six back on Sept. 14th against the San Francisco 49ers. Last season, he was able to reach the threshold once with seven catches on Sept. 29, 2024, against the Falcons.
His usage in the passing game has taken a significant hit this season. Last year, he averaged 4.9 catches per game, and that was a drop from 2023 when he had 5.8 receptions per game. This season, Kamara has hauled in 3.1 catches per game, which would be his lowest mark of his career if the season were to end today.
While this is the case, Kamara is in sniffing distance of Keith Byars at No. 4. Right now, the Saints have seven games left this season. If he just sticks with his average catches per game this season, he would tack on another 21 catches before the campaign wraps. If he gets 21 more catches this season, that would put him at 625 for his career, which would be one ahead of LaDainian Tomlinson for No. 3 all-time among running backs.
Marshall Faulk has the record right now at 767. There's no way to know how much longer Kamara will play, but there's a very good chance that he will at least finish the season with the third-most catches in NFL history by a running back.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid Sends Clear Message on Troubling Playoff Outlook
The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-5 heading into a Week 12 matchup with the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts, but there’s no time to dwell on that, according to head coach Andy Reid.
“Yeah, so, we’re not quite as negative as the outside world is,” Reid told reporters when asked about his locker room’s postseason confidence level on November 17, the day after the Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. “We know what we need to clean up, and we need to do it. But the guys, they get it. I mean, some of these guys have been through some pretty good seasons, and [it] isn’t like this one is lost [at 5-5]. We’ve just got to clean up a few of these things.”
The playoff message from Reid was mostly calm and composed, but the veteran head coach did admit that his players have to ramp up the “urgency level” with little room for error.
“What can you do? You can [go] and get yourself ready to play Indianapolis. That’s what you can do,” Reid explained after a follow-up question, stressing the one game at a time mentality. “Everything else is involved with a crystal ball. But you can take care of today, and tomorrow, and the following day. Let’s start there.”
Clearly, it’s not panic mode inside the Chiefs’ building. Reid and KC have been here before, and the future Hall of Fame head coach isn’t switching up his mindset at 5-5. The players shouldn’t either.
Chiefs’ Andy Reid Reiterates Attention to Detail & Executing on the ‘Small Things’ in Week 12
When asked what traits Reid believes a team needs to fuel a comeback, the Chiefs HC knew his answer immediately.
“You have to take care of the small things,” Reid stated on Monday. “And that’s coaches included.”
“Whether it’s volume. Whether it’s fundamentals. You’ve got to take care of the small things, and when I tell you I’m responsible for that, I’m responsible for that,” he continued, shouldering the blame.
Reid also specifically mentioned penalties as his response went on, urging his players to “fix” those issues with attention to detail and accountability.
“Don’t point to the officials. Don’t point here or there,” the Chiefs HC voiced. “Take responsibility for it.”
He then provided a few different examples, concluding: “All those things you control, you’ve got to take care of those things. Small things, but they all add up.”
NFL Playoffs Are Not Out of Reach for Chiefs
The AFC West division title may be difficult to win after the Week 11 loss to the Broncos, but the playoffs are far from out of reach.
For starters, the Chiefs are only one game back of the final wildcard spot, held by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Of course, KC did lose to the Jags head-to-head, meaning they’d likely have to overtake them by a game, but even two games is less than it seems.
As Reid preached, you just have to take things one week at a time.
The back half of Kansas City’s schedule has a lot of winnable games, but the Chiefs cannot get caught looking ahead. For now, they must beat the Colts and get themselves back over .500.
That’s the immediate objective, and the more wins KC stacks, the more Chiefs Kingdom can start thinking about playoffs once again.
